THE UKRAINIAN CANADIAN COMMUNITY DENOUNCES DECISION BY UKRAINIAN AUTHORITIES
TO HALT EU ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT PREPARATIONS

OTTAWA – November 22, 2013.. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is deeply disappointed and denounces the decision of the Government of Ukraine to “stop the process of preparation for the conclusion of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU …and resume an active dialogue with the Russian Federation and other countries of the Customs Union “(Cabinet Order of November 21, 2013 No. 905-p).

This unilateral decision by the Government of Ukraine does not conform to the European hopes and aspirations of the Ukrainian people, puts a stop to reform and the path of European integration and the modernization of the Ukrainian economy to put it in line with international standards. It further impedes the path to democracy and protection of human rights.

The government’s decision exceeds the authority of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and is contrary to the principles of domestic and foreign policy of Ukraine approved by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

“Over the past eighteen months the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, together with the Ukrainian World Congress have worked to assist in advancing to the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine, and we regard the current actions of the authorities in Ukraine as a real loss of sovereignty of Ukraine, ignoring the European aspirations of the people of Ukraine, and a move to return to the Soviet past. “- said Paul Grod, President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.